Re: [CR]L'eroica 2007 trip report Oh, one last item

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme)

Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2007 09:56:47 -0400
From: "Michael Schmidt" <mdschmidt56@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]L'eroica 2007 trip report Oh, one last item
In-reply-to: <C33B8994.6500%mdschmidt56@verizon.net>
To: Michael Schmidt <mdschmidt56@verizon.net>, CLASSIC RENDEZVOUS <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Thread-topic: [CR]L'eroica 2007 trip report Oh, one last item
Thread-index: AcgQw5hO1yMnzHy2EdyciQAWy8lbawAAfZ0T


Almost forgot! Thanks to Bob & Rita Freitas for all their efforts and Eddie & Brenda Albert for getting us around during the pro race.

Mikey

On 10/17/07 9:42 AM, "Michael Schmidt" <mdschmidt56@verizon.net> wrote:
>
>
> Dear Listmembers,
>
> I really do not have much more to add to this subject other than Robin and I
> enjoyed ourselves hangin with the CR crowd and doing the L'eroica thing. It
> was especially gratifying to experience the event with first timers. If you
> are thinking about doing L'eroica in the future, I strongly endorse this
> experience. It is a bit like Cirque, a bit like Velo Rendezvous, but yet
> different. If you are thinking about going, figure a travel budget of
> $5000. for two people.
>
> While it is not a must, work with Blufreccia. Those guys are great. They
> make it easier plus provide van support for the non-riding better half.
> Food is part of the Italy experience. Avoid doing more than one group
> dinner. Split into groups of eight and order off the menus because the
> restaurants pre cook the group meals and it does not taste very good.
>
> Avoid Alitalia Airlines and stick with US carriers. We got screwed on the
> baggage costs plus they charge in Euros, not dollars. Besides they are in
> bankruptcy and have supplier issues. If you are an elite member on a
> particular airline, use that airline because they will give you more weight
> allowance.
>
> Thanks to Matteo for coming down and hanging with us. I finally got to meet
> my namesake counterpart, Michael Schmid, a real cool guy and Lorenzo
> Savarino, Mister Rocvale on ebay. I also want to again acknowledge Guy
> Apple and Peter Neiman who worked with me on the Dale to Italy project.
>
> I was impressed with the number of swap meet vendors that knew Steve
> Maasland.
>
> The hill towns of San Giminjano, Cortona and Montepulciano were stunning.
> Siena and Firenze are also not to be missed.
>
> The shear size of L'eroica needs to be considered. The feed stops were much
> more crowded this year. I hope they stick to their guns next year and move
> the mountain bikes off the course at the 38K mark and keep the event to
> historic bikes. The Saturday swap was larger than last year and so that was
> cool.
>
> Last but not least, my photos are now up on Wool Jersey. I rode the same
> bike as last year; a Frankenbike called a Resurrectio. This years version,
> I went to different wheels and tires, a Brooks saddle instead of an Ideale,
> and changed the rings to a 32T inner instead of a 26T. The MKS travel
> pedals eliminated the need to carry a pedal wrench. (remember about keeping
> the baggage weight down).
>
> While in Italy, I picked up a new bike. A 1954 Bianchi Compione del Mundo.
> This lead to some logistics problems since I only had one travel case and
> two bikes. After some soul searching, I landed on the final solution. See
> the link.
>
> http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/Mike-Schmidts-Bikes/Eroica+2007/The+Sund
> ay+Ride/L1000635.JPG.html
>
> The link to my site at wool jersey is.
>
> http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/Mike-Schmidts-Bikes/Eroica+2007/
>
> Enjoy and write with any questions you have if you are thinking about doing
> this event.
>
> Mike Schmidt
> Stirling, NJ